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I have questions about the admissions process. What should I do?

First, thoroughly review all admissions information on the appy page. If you still have questions, please email healthadmissions@pcc.edu, and one of our admissions specialists will reach out to you.

Do I need to apply to ������������ before applying to the Dental Hygiene program?

Yes, applicants must be an active, credit student at ������������ before applying to the Dental Hygiene program. To view general college admissions deadlines and apply for admission, please visit the ������������ admissions page.

How do I make sure I am an active, credit-seeking student?

Applicants need to be an active, credit-seeking student prior to applying to the Dental Hygiene program. If you haven’t taken a credit course at ������������ in the last year, please update your application by going to pcc.edu/enroll.

To confirm your status as a credit-seeking student, email enroll@pcc.edu.

Is Dental Hygiene a competitive program to apply to?

Admission to ������������’s Dental Hygiene program is highly competitive, with 20 students chosen each year from a pool of approximately 190 applicants. It’s difficult to predict the chances of acceptance in advance, and it’s important to have high prerequisite grades and work experience in a dental setting.

What does a competitive applicant profile look like?

Competitive applicants typically have an overall prerequisite GPA of 3.9, with A’s in the science prerequisite courses, and some experience in a dental setting.

Where does the Dental Hygiene program take place?

All Dental Hygiene courses and mandatory orientations will be held at the Vanport Building, located in downtown Portland at 1810 SW 5th Ave. Students can anticipate spending five days a week on campus.

How does parking work at the Vanport Building?

Dental Hygiene students and clinic patients can utilize the ������������ shuttle system. The shuttle’s Orange Line offers a drop-off a few blocks west of the Vanport Building on the Portland State University Campus. All shuttles connect at the ������������ Sylvania Campus, where transfers to the Orange Line are available.

Important: The ������������ shuttle service does not operate during the summer term. A valid parking permit must be displayed for those who park at a main ������������ campus and use the shuttle.

Parking a vehicle downtown can be tricky, but students and patients have a few options. You can buy daily street parking passes or passes at nearby parking garages around the Vanport Building. If you’re a ������������ student taking classes at Vanport, you’re also eligible for a PSU parking permit at a reduced student rate. Learn about .

What is the estimated program cost of the Dental Hygiene program?

The estimated cost, excluding prerequisites, is $40,000. This amount covers tuition and fees, as well as estimated expenses for certifications, exams, uniforms, textbooks, materials, and other miscellaneous costs. Remember to also factor in additional expenses like housing, transportation, parking, insurance, and the cost of not working.

I have an international degree in dentistry and am interested in applying to the ������������ Dental Hygiene program. What are my next steps?

International applicants should begin by contacting the Office of International Student Services (OISS) to gain general admission to ������������. While waiting to get admitted to ������������, you can begin the evaluation of foreign transcripts process.

Once admitted to ������������ as an active credit-seeking student and your transcripts have been evaluated, meet with an academic advisor to review your transfer courses and see which outstanding prerequisites you may need to complete (see below for how to meet with an academic advisor). International dental experience can be used to gain Phase I experience points.

Can I work while in the program?

The Dental Hygiene program requires a 40-hour per week commitment. Due to its academically rigorous and intense academic and clinical schedule, students have reported that they do not have time to work while in the program. To help you prepare financially, we strongly encourage all applicants to seek scholarship support as soon as they identify the Dental Hygiene program as a program of interest. Learn more about scholarships for ������������ students.

I need help with planning my prerequisites. Where should I start?

If you are new to ������������, please go to pcc.edu/advising for next steps on how to connect with an advisor or fill out the . If you are already taking classes at ������������, you can with your assigned academic advisor.

Do I need to complete all prerequisites before applying?

Yes, all prerequisites must be completed by the end of the winter term before the application deadline. If you are planning to register for a course at ������������ using a prerequisite course completed at another institution, please submit your official transcript to ������������ Student Records. You may also obtain a prerequisite override and/or meet with an academic advisor.

What if I take a prerequisite course pass/no pass?

Individual prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a letter grade of “C” or higher. Pass/no pass grading options are not accepted as proof of successful course completion.

My completed prerequisite course now has the letter Z attached to it. Do I need to retake it?

If the course has not expired, applicants do not need to repeat their prerequisite courses. For example, prerequisite courses such as BI 231Z used to be numbered as BI 231 and would not need to be retaken. Courses such as WR 121Z, MTH 111Z, STAT 243Z, and many others are part of the new Oregon Common Course Numbering system.

Can I use my placement test scores to substitute for taking a prerequisite course or some of my Dental Hygiene courses?

No, placement test scores are only used to determine which course applicants need to take. Test scores cannot be used as a substitute for a required course, even if test score placement is higher than the required course level.

What do I need to know about the chemistry requirement?

Learn about the chemistry requirement on the prerequisites page.

Will my transfer courses be accepted at ������������?

Applicants with transfer courses are strongly encouraged to submit their official transcripts to Student Records for evaluation. Student Records will evaluate lower division collegiate (LDC) coursework.

Upper division coursework is evaluated upon request. We do not recommend you request all upper division coursework to be evaluated by Student Records. Instead, please request that they evaluate only the courses you intend to use as prerequisites for the Dental Hygiene program. Each transfer course is subject to review by the ������������ Student Records Office, Dental Department, and/or the Admissions Team to determine transfer equivalency.

Can I use Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) courses from an unaccredited institution to meet a prerequisite course requirement?

The Dental Hygiene program does not accept CPL courses toward prerequisite or degree requirements. All prerequisite courses, including transfer work, must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher from a regionally accredited institution to meet prerequisite course requirements.

I have a bachelor’s degree. Can I waive the writing requirement?

The writing requirement is waived with completion of a previous U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. regionally accredited institution.

Can I complete degree requirements prior to being accepted to the program?

All students must complete the general education requirements for the AAS degree. To view degree requirements, please visit the .

Are exceptions made for applicants that miss the application deadline?

At ������������, there is a commitment to maintaining a fair admissions process by adhering to firm deadlines for application submissions and supporting documentation. Due to the high volume of applications, appeals for missed deadlines cannot be accepted. All applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and submit required materials well in advance of the program deadlines.

What was your 2026 applicant profile?

The 2026 application cycle had:

• 192 applicants applied.
• 50 applicants were invited to Phase II.

Applicants who were invited to Phase II had the following:

• 88 prerequisite GPA (up from 3.61).
• 47% of the applicants had a prior degree (up from 45%).
• 90% had completed 20 hours of shadowing a practicing dental hygienist.
• 53% of the applicants had dental work experience.
• 92% of the applicants had ������������ Dental Clinic experience.

Note: These numbers change on a yearly basis. Point totals or average scores are not released.

Can I get help in filling out my application?

������������ employees are not allowed to assist you in filling out your application. You alone must complete your application. If you have questions about how to upload materials, issues with the transcript entry section, or sending transcripts, please reach out to ADEA DHCAS directly. If you have questions about what information is needed from ������������, please email healthadmissions@pcc.edu.

Do I need to report all courses taken on the “transcript entry” section in ADEA DHCAS?

Yes, all courses (including repeated, withdrawn, failed, and non-prerequisite courses) must be reported in ADEA DHCAS. Please ensure you leave enough time to fill out the transcript entry section and monitor your application status and email closely for contact from ADEA DHCAS.

What transcripts do I need to submit with my application?

Official transcripts from all institutions attended, including ������������, must be submitted and received by ADEA DHCAS by the application deadline. For current application cycle dates and deadlines, please refer to the apply page.

Do I need to send my official transcripts to ADEA DHCAS if I have already sent them to ������������?

Yes, applicants must send every official college transcript, including ������������ transcripts, to ADEA DHCAS by the application deadline even if all your official transcripts have been sent to ������������. It is your responsibility to ensure that ADEA DHCAS has received and verified all official transcripts.

How will I be notified of my ADEA DHCAS application status?

All communication regarding your program application will go to the email address linked to your ADEA DHCAS account. Make sure to check this email often. After you’re admitted to the Dental Hygiene program, all official program-related information (like financial aid and post-selection steps) will be sent to your ������������ student email address, which you can find in the top right of your My������������ account.

You are responsible for regularly checking both the email you used for ADEA DHCAS and your ������������ email throughout the admissions process.

How do I submit official transcripts as part of my ADEA DHCAS application?

Learn about submitting your transcripts.

You are responsible for ensuring ADEA DHCAS lists your application as “verified.” Application evaluators cannot evaluate your application unless it is verified by ADEA DHCAS. For a detailed guide and to check your status, visit the .

Will my Phase I score be shared with me?

Our admissions team does not share individual Phase I scores or the overall Phase I cut-score. Each year, the Phase I score, applicant pool, and/or the selection criteria change. In lieu of sharing the Phase I cut-score, our admissions team publishes the admissions statistics for the most recent application cycle.

What documents can I submit for military active duty or veteran points?

View the application materials page for information about earning points for military service.

How should I contact the ������������ Dental Clinic?

View the application materials page for information about shadowing at the ������������ Dental Clinic.

How do I document dental setting experience points?

View the application materials page for information about earning dental setting experience points.

What does a copy of my DANB CDA certification look like?

Applicants will need to upload a copy of their DANB CDA certification in order to earn points. The uploaded copy should include your name, expiration date, and certification ID number. See an example below:

What if I can’t schedule all 20 hours of job shadowing experience at the same dental clinic?

To earn points, applicants must complete a minimum of 20 hours of job shadowing a dental hygienist at a dental clinic. If necessary, applicants may upload multiple shadowing forms to document the completion of all 20 hours. Learn more about submitting job shadowing experience.

Can I combine the 20 hours of job shadowing experience and the ������������ Dental Clinic job shadow?

No, these experiences must be distinct and separate to be eligible for points in each section.

I would like to shadow for 20 hours at a private dental office or clinic. Can ������������ assist me in setting this up?

Visit the application materials page for information about job shadowing.

How should I prepare for the Health Sciences Reasoning Test – Associate Degree (HSRT-AD)?

View the application materials page for information about taking the HSRT–AD.

How should I prepare for the panel interview?

View the application materials page for information about preparing for the panel interview.

Why are Phase II scores not shared?

Similar to Phase I scores, our admissions team does not share individual and/or overall Phase II scores. If an applicant does not receive a seat offer, they should practice interviewing and answering critical thinking questions.

After I get admitted, what is required of me?

After being accepted, students will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, drug screen, and provide proof of required immunizations. Please review the following requirements for clinical and field education.

Can I start working on these requirements now?

Please wait to start working on the above requirements until you are offered a seat in the program. This is because there are specific ways to document completing these requirements, and there are also expiration dates to consider.

Once I complete the program, will I be licensed or certified?

Once you complete the program, you will be eligible to take the national board written examination and regional licensure examinations.

Can I transfer after completing the program to get my bachelor’s degree?

������������ Dental Hygiene students can transfer credits from general education and Dental Hygiene program electives to various institutions for bachelor’s degree completion programs, such as Portland State University (Public Health or Business), Pacific University (Health Management), Oregon Institute of Technology, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, and Eastern Washington University. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor at the institution they plan to transfer to, as only that institution can determine which ������������ credits are transferable and accepted. Please note that it is recommended to complete the full Anatomy & Physiology series and the full Allied Health Chemistry series if you are planning to apply and/or transfer to a 4-year program.